Mills / Dennis Uniforms Update

Last week we communicated an update in regard to Dennis Uniforms taking over Mills Uniforms. At that time we had been informed by representatives from Dennis Uniforms that the Mills Uniforms website would be shut down on February 1, 2024, and all traffic re-directed to the Dennis Uniforms site. We were then informed after sending out that communication by Dennis Uniforms that the timetable for that change has now been altered and shopping online will still be available for our families through the Mills Uniforms website – with a possible date of mid-March for the transition to the new Dennis Uniforms website.

Families can still shop online at the Mills Uniforms website here, and the uniform store in the Echo Lane shopping center remains open. When the school is given a better and more clearly defined timeline for any changes we will update our families at that time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Family Learning

NWEA MAP Growth Assessment 

Middle of Year Assessment Result Going Home

As previously communicated, we administered the NWEA MAP Growth assessment during the month of January to your child (Kinder through 8th grade) to measure growth. You will be receiving the Family Growth Report for your child on Monday, February 12. Be sure to check your child’s backpack for this valuable report; if you would like more information, click here for the Family Guide to the NWEA MAP Growth Assessments. 

Smart Families Coffee and Donut Social and January Newsletter

Parents, join us on Monday, February 12th, at 8:15 am in the Auditorium for coffee, donuts, and community as we share more about the Smart Families pledge, whose mission is “to help parents and schools create a safer, healthier, and happier life for our children and families by creating a community where it’s easy to live without smartphones.” Whether you’ve signed the pledge or have not yet heard about it, we are happy to have you! Please RSVP using this form. Learn more about Smart Families here.

• The January Newsletter from Smart Families is now available and can be viewed here.

Learning Commons Literacy Corner

Please click here for our weekly Learning Commons Literacy Corner updates including the quote of the week, vocabulary word of the week, and the high frequency words of the week.

Re-Enrollment for Returning Students

Families with returning students received the Annual Tuition and Re-Enrollment Announcement email on

February 1st. Please make sure to read and review, as the re-enrollment deadline is Monday, February 12th at 3:00PM. Please visit the Re-Enrollment Resources page on the school website for additional links and information.

We have created a new Re-Enrollment Checklist document to help families keep track of the completion of the steps of re-enrollment. Please click here to download the checklist.

Neon Night - Tonight - Friday, February 2nd - 6PM to 8PM

Don’t forget – tonight is the Neon Night Dance.

• Registration is required to attend.
• Students who are not pre-registered will not be permitted to enter until registration is completed at the check-in table.
• Register to attend online here.

Parking & Entry: You can park either in the front parking lot of the school and enter through the Field gate, or park in the main Church parking lot and enter through the school doors that face toward the Church. Students in 4th-8th grade may be dropped off and picked up. Parents of students in grades PK3-3rd grade must stay for the party. But we promise you, you’ll have as much fun as your kids!

We hope to see your glowing faces tonight!

We Are Hiring!

We currently have several open positions to fill including:

• Elementary Science and Social Studies Teacher
• Part-Time Literacy Coach
• Pre K - Classroom Teacher
• Elementary Classroom Teacher
• Religion Teacher
• Middle School ELA Classroom Teacher

If you are interested in working alongside our amazing teachers and staff, check out the open positions currently available and apply today!

Steps For Students – Saturday, February 10, 2024

The Archdiocesan Steps For Students 5K run returns for its 19th year on Saturday, February 10, 2024. You can either register to participate in the run, or you can “Hit Snooze for Students” – both options support St. Cecilia Catholic School by having a portion of the registration fees to help support various campus programs. The run begins at 8:30AM downtown at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and participants can visit the St. Cecilia Catholic School tent for snacks and drinks in the Catholic School Village beginning at 7:00AM.

• Click here for a full Steps for Students schedule 
• Click here to register to either participate in the race or “Hit Snooze for Students”

Book Fair and Read-A-Thon 2024 – February 16th – 23rd  

The Annual St. Cecilia Catholic School Book Fair and Read-A-Thon – “Wild About Reading” will take place Friday, February 16th – Friday, February 23rd.

Class Schedule and Volunteer Sign Up

• Class Schedule: Please click here to view a detailed class schedule of grades and homerooms and when they will be visiting the Library during Book Fair. Volunteers: We would love volunteer help in making our Book Fair a success. Parents interested in helping with setup, helping students shop, or clean up can please use this Sign Up Genius.

Book Fair Vendor Update

This year’s Book Fair will look a little different from previous years. Our Book Fair this Spring will be with Literati, which is associated with the Follett Publishing Company. Several schools in the Archdiocese and nationwide have made this switch. Literati provides books from many different publishers, including smaller publishing houses. It focuses on providing high-quality products and titles. It is easy to shop Literati’s online catalog, and it has an equivalent to the EWallet from Scholastic. More information is available on our website here, and there will be more updates in the Insider about how to set up shopping for your students. 

Theme Days

• Friday, February 16th - “Cozy Up With A Good Book / Pajama Day” (must wear athletic shoes with pajamas) or regular Friday Spirit Day attire

• Monday, February 19th - Inservice Day – No School

• Tuesday, February 20th - “Wild About Reading” – wear a shirt or pants with your favorite animal or animal print (an example would be a t-shirt with an animal athletic mascot on it). This is not an animal costume day.

• Wednesday, February 21st - “Read To A Friend” – Bring a stuffed animal to school. Mass attire is required for all students.

• Thursday, February 22nd - “Book Character Day” – dress as your favorite book character.

• Friday, February 23rd - “Go Texan Day” – since Friday is our annual Go Texan Day, that will be the theme for this day. As a reminder regarding our standard rules for Go Texan Day - all students are allowed to wear their rodeo gear to school. They may wear jeans, boots, western-styled shirts, and belts. Note: Students must wear tennis shoes for PE. Of course, our young caballeros should leave their pistolas, lariats, and livestock at home.

More information on how to participate in the Book Fair and Read-A-Thon will be coming over the next few weeks in the Insider.

2024 Middle School STREAM Fair Results

We are excited to announce that two St. Cecilia students placed in the 2024 Archdiocesan Middle School STREAM Fair. Congratulations to 6th grader Grace L. for placing 3rd for her project Batter Up? Best of Bats! Also, congratulations to 7th grader Graeme D. for placing 3rd for his project Going with the Flow! We are so proud of your hard work and great job representing St. Cecilia Catholic School.  

Staff Nursery Part-Time Substitute Openings

We are looking to hire a few part-time substitutes for our staff nursery. This opportunity is perfect for parents looking for a casual chance to work a few hours during a given week. Click here to apply. For more information, please contact Mary Yokubaitis. 

Piano Lessons Now Offered at St. Cecilia

Beginning in February 2024, our Principal Organist, Borja Flores, will teach piano lessons for students on our campus. Borja has been the Principal Organist at St. Cecilia since November 2021. Originally from Valencia, Spain, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music-Piano Performance Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Sacred Music in Organ from the University of Saint Thomas. Borja is also available for in-home piano lessons. For more information, including hours and rates, please email Borja at borjapianostudio@gmail.com.

Perpetual Adoration is Returning at St. Cecilia 

We are delighted to announce that Perpetual Adoration will return to St. Cecilia in 2024. Adoration will be open from 9:00 am Monday through 8:00 am Friday.  

Before reopening Adoration, we must have at least two adorers for each hour. Some hours already have complete coverage, but others have only one adorer or no coverage at all. 

If you are interested in taking an hour to adore our Lord present in the Eucharist every week and to see the hours that still need coverage, please visit our website or contact Leo de Leon.

Lenten Parish Service Day - Saturday, February 17th

Please join us on Saturday, February 17th from 9AM to Noon in the Community Center for a Lenten Parish Service Day. Please sign up here.

St. Agnes Academy Arts Presents Aida - February 29 - March 3, 2024

Winner of four 2000 Tony Awards, Elton John and Tim Rice's timeless love story is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal, chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. The talents of SAA and SJ students combine in performances at 7:00pm on February 29, March 1-3, and 2:00pm on March 2 in Meyer Hall at St. Agnes Academy. Come be our guest and see St. Agnes Academy’s spring musical AIDA for FREE! Use code artsforall24SCS at checkout.

Pathways To Independent Learning at St. Thomas 

St. Thomas High School is pleased to announce details for its Spring Academic Skills Camp, Pathways to Independent Learning. In this course, students are given tools and strategies to take charge of the learning process. They will be able to take full responsibility for choosing effective approaches to long-term learning. Students need the skills and strategies of independent learning to excel in any learning environment or situation. Research has proven that facility and practice of executive functioning skills and critical thinking is a greater predictor of student success than IQ. Students who develop the skills of independent learning are better able to adapt and succeed when they encounter obstacles. Parents can click here to view course information and registration.  

Incarnate Word Academy Daddy Daughter Dance – February 10th

The Incarnate Word Academy Impact Dance Team is excited to present the 1st Annual Daddy Daughter Dance. Dads, they grow up so fast! Treat your princess to a night out at the Valentine's Day Ball, featuring music and fun with a DJ, a photo booth, snacks, princess activities, and much more! It's a wonderful opportunity for fathers and daughters to create cherished memories together on this special occasion. Pre-school and up are invited!

Details:

Dress: Sunday dress, Valentine’s holiday attire, or your favorite princess outfit

Dads: Business casual or suit, tie optional

Saturday February 10, 2024

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Incarnate Word Academy

$40 per couple, $10 additional daughter

For questions contact Mrs. Leppard at cleppard@incarnateword.org